List of familicides in the United States
This is a list of familicides that occurred in the United States. Being part of the List of rampage killers the latter's terms of inclusion are also applied here.
For familicides in Europe see: List of familicides in Europe
For familicides in other countries see: List of familicides
Perpetrator |
Date |
Year |
Location |
State |
Killed |
Injured |
W |
Additional Notes |
Ref. |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. |
Simmons, Ronald Gene, |
Dec. 22-28 |
1987 |
Russellville |
AR |
FM |
Sentenced to death and executed |
|||
2. |
Banks, George Emil, |
Sep. 25 |
1982 |
Wilkes-Barre |
PA |
F |
Sentenced to death |
|||
3. |
Ruppert, James Urban, * |
March 30 |
1975 |
Hamilton |
OH |
F |
Sentenced to eleven consecutive life terms |
|||
4. |
Pardo, Bruce Jeffrey, * |
Dec. 24 |
2008 |
Covina |
CA |
FA |
Committed [...] |
|||
5. |
Clemmens, Abel, 33* |
Nov. 10 |
1805 |
Clarksburg |
WV |
M |
Sentenced to death and executed |
|||
6. |
Woolfolk, Thomas G., 27* |
Aug. 6 |
1887 |
Macon |
GA |
M |
Sentenced to death and executed |
|||
7. |
Hassell, George Jefferson, 39* |
Dec. 5 |
1926 |
Farwell |
TX |
FM |
Sentenced to death and executed |
|||
8. |
Waszak, John, * |
April 18 |
1937 |
Muskego |
WI |
E |
Sentenced to life imprisonment |
|||
9. |
Acquin, Lorne Joe, |
July 22 |
1977 |
Prospect |
CT |
MA |
Sentenced to 105 years to life |
|||
10. |
Wesson, Marcus Delon, * |
March 12 |
2004 |
Fresno |
CA |
F |
Sentenced to death |
|||
11. |
Speer, Thomas* |
Oct. 7 |
1895 |
Milner |
GA |
P |
Arrested |
|||
12. |
de Capua, Tony, 42 |
Sep. 3 |
1927 |
Youngstown |
OH |
F |
Found not guilty by reason of insanity |
|||
13. |
Purrington, James, 46* |
July 9 |
1806 |
Augusta |
ME |
M |
Committed [...] |
|||
14. |
Torres, Rafael, 40* |
June 25 |
1969 |
Jersey City |
NJ |
M |
Arrested |
|||
15. |
Olstrom, Henry* |
Jan. 13 |
1888 |
Brainerd |
MN |
|||||
16. |
Halson, Joseph* |
April 30 |
1893 |
San Augustine |
TX |
Committed [...] |
||||
17. |
Russell, Francis Lloyd, * |
June 4 |
1925 |
Hamilton |
OH |
F |
Found not guilty by reason of insanity |
|||
18. |
Gonzalez, Celestino P., 36 |
July 9 |
1936 |
Indiana Harbor |
IN |
FM |
Committed [...] |
|||
19. |
Gragg, Ralph, 36* |
May 2 |
1951 |
Collettsville |
NC |
FMA |
Committed [...] |
|||
20. |
Akulonis, Peter Joseph, 39* |
April 15 |
1953 |
Lawrence |
MA |
FM |
Committed [...] |
|||
21. |
Pierce, Etheridge, 17 |
March 26/29 |
1992 |
New York City |
NY |
F |
Sentenced to 75 years for three of the murders |
|||
22. |
Speight, Christopher Bryan, 39 |
Jan. 19 |
2010 |
Appomatox |
VA |
F |
Arrested |
|||
23. |
Bordner, Harold E., 17* |
Nov. 20 |
1965 |
Sunbury |
PA |
FA |
Acquitted |
|||
24. |
Salcido, Ramon Bojorquez, 28 |
April 15 |
1989 |
San Francisco |
CA |
FM |
Sentenced to death |
|||
25. |
Hildebrant, ---* |
Jan. 12 |
1896 |
Marysville |
KS |
P |
Committed [...] |
|||
26. |
Collett, George M., 45 |
Jan. 8 |
1935 |
Mount Vernon |
KY |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
27. |
Lias, Frankie, * |
Feb. 18 |
1974 |
Fayette |
MS |
F |
Sentenced to life imprisonment |
|||
28. |
Kirby, Judy, |
March 25 |
2000 |
Martinsville |
IN |
V |
Sentenced to 215 years in prison |
|||
29. |
Kaiser, Moritz, 50* |
Feb. 28/ |
1878 |
Monroe County |
IL |
MA |
Perished in the fire |
|||
30. |
Reid, Nathan |
Dec. 25 |
1887 |
Worth County |
GA |
MA |
Committed [...] |
|||
31. |
Boecker, John, 34* |
Sep. 26 |
1897 |
Carrolton |
IA |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
32. |
Krauss, Adolph* |
March 12 |
1903 |
Bellefontaine |
MO |
M |
Committed [...] |
|||
33. |
Markham, Julia* |
Sep. 30 |
1905 |
Cambridge |
IL |
MA |
Committed [...] |
|||
34. |
Ayer, Charles H., 43* |
Jan. 17 |
1906 |
Pembroke |
NH |
FO |
Committed [...] |
|||
35. |
Grant, James T.* |
Dec. 26 |
1911 |
Benton |
AR |
M |
Committed [...] |
|||
36. |
O'Kane, Daniel, 48* |
March 6 |
1916 |
Lawton |
OK |
FM |
Committed [...] |
|||
37. |
Stravisar, Mary* |
July 29 |
1919 |
Kimberly |
OH |
A |
Committed [...] |
|||
38. |
Oberst, Owen, 17* |
April 20 |
1928 |
El Dorado |
KS |
FA |
Not sentenced and released after three failed trials |
|||
39. |
Lawson, Charles Davis, * |
Dec. 25 |
1929 |
Germanton |
NC |
FM |
Committed [...] |
|||
40. |
Geller, Ethel, 44* |
May 6 |
1930 |
Columbus |
OH |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
41. |
Gravlin, William G., 30* |
Sep. 29 |
1964 |
Troy |
MI |
FM |
Sentenced to life imprisonment |
|||
42. |
Belcher, Harry M., 32* |
Jan. 25 |
1965 |
Ferndale |
MI |
A |
Sentenced to life imprisonment |
|||
43. |
Hanks, Lee M., |
July 6 |
1981 |
Syracuse |
NY |
A |
Sentenced to 20 years to life |
|||
44. |
Haggart, Robert Lee, * |
Feb. 17 |
1982 |
Farwell |
MI |
F |
Sentenced to life imprisonment |
|||
45. |
Lynam, Daniel Patrick, 36* |
July 12 |
1987 |
Tacoma |
WA |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
46. |
Schnick, James Eugene, 36* |
Sep. 25 |
1987 |
Elkland |
MO |
FM |
Sentenced to death |
|||
47. |
Avanesian, Jorjik, 40* |
Feb. 6 |
1996 |
Glendale |
CA |
A |
Sentenced to life imprisonment |
|||
48. |
Helde, Paul* |
July 17 |
1881 |
Eagle Creek Valley |
WI |
FM |
Committed [...] |
|||
49. |
Crump, Danny Eugene, |
Sep. 20 |
1980 |
Olathe |
KS |
E |
Sentenced to six consecutive life terms |
|||
50. |
Dotson, Jessie L., |
March 2 |
2008 |
Memphis |
TN |
FM |
Sentenced to death |
|||
51. |
Kline, Sherman, 38 |
Dec. 18 |
1968 |
Carlinville |
IL |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
52. |
McConaughy, Robert, 31* |
May 30 |
1840 |
Hill Valley |
PA |
FM |
Sentenced to death and executed |
|||
53. |
Cooper, ---, 42* |
June 12 |
1908 |
Cadillac |
MI |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
54. |
Schoch, Kathryn, 37* |
Dec. 22/23 |
1934 |
Dunkirk |
NY |
FP |
Committed [...] |
|||
55. |
David, Rachel, 38* |
Aug. 3 |
1978 |
Salt Lake City |
UT |
O |
Committed [...] |
|||
56. |
Bell, King Edward, 31 |
Aug. 21 |
1981 |
Indianapolis |
IN |
F |
Sentenced to six consecutive 40-year terms |
|||
57. |
Dakin, ---* |
March 25 |
1871 |
Stonefort |
IL |
M |
Committed [...] |
|||
58. |
Gallegos, Jose Trujillo |
Feb. 17 |
1885 |
Las Norias |
NM |
M |
Arrested |
|||
59. |
Quinn, ---* |
Aug. 23 |
1890 |
Livingston |
MT |
M |
Shot dead |
|||
60. |
Dunham, James C. |
May 26 |
1896 |
Campbell |
CA |
FM |
Escaped |
|||
61. |
Hansen, Jens* |
Jan. 12 |
1896 |
Chicago |
IL |
P |
Committed [...] |
|||
62. |
Kloettke, Richard, 38* |
Feb. 5 |
1896 |
Chicago |
IL |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
63. |
Wurzer, Rosa, 40* |
Feb. 24 |
1901 |
Uniontown |
WA |
MO |
Arrested |
|||
64. |
Naramore, Elizabeth A.* |
March 21 |
1901 |
Coldbrook Springs |
MA |
M |
Found not guilty by reason of insanity |
|||
65. |
Westhrope, ---* |
June 15 |
1902 |
Brandywine |
MS |
FA |
Arrested |
|||
66. |
Stephens, Edwin, 35* |
May 24 |
1905 |
San Rafael |
CA |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
67. |
McWilliams, William S., 44* |
Nov. 24 |
1905 |
Littleton |
IA |
M |
Sentenced to death |
|||
68. |
Johnson, ---* |
Oct. 23 |
1911 |
Braddock |
ND |
A |
Perished in the fire |
|||
69. |
Wychopen, John, 40* |
April 29/30 |
1916 |
Holland |
TX |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
70. |
Klocow, Frank, 49* |
Sep. 3/4 |
1921 |
Ormsby |
MN |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
71. |
Taylor, Guy M., 35* |
Feb. 11/12 |
1927 |
Utica |
NY |
M |
Committed [...] |
|||
72. |
Millis, Phillip, 37* |
Dec. 12 |
1927 |
Hennessey |
OK |
M |
Committed [...] |
|||
73. |
Pasos, Marie, 35* |
Feb. 15 |
1929 |
New York City |
NY |
P |
Committed [...] |
|||
74. |
Jackson, George, 35* |
Oct. 25 |
1931 |
Wagener |
SC |
F |
Sentenced to death |
|||
75. |
Albers, William A., 54* |
Jan. 23 |
1936 |
Danville |
IL |
FM |
Committed [...] |
|||
76. |
Nollen, Elsie, 30* |
Aug. 28/29 |
1937 |
Denison |
IA |
P |
Committed [...] |
|||
77. |
Curtis, Lillie May, 38* |
March 16 |
1938 |
Center |
TX |
F |
Sentenced to 495 years in prison |
|||
78. |
Nicosia, Louise, 43* |
July 10 |
1940 |
New York City |
NY |
P |
Committed [...] |
|||
79. |
Gibson, Esker Washington, 32* |
April 24 |
1941 |
Irvington |
AL |
MA |
Sentenced to death and executed |
|||
80. |
Seipel, Thomas, 31* |
Jan. 16 |
1942 |
Plum City |
WI |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
81. |
Pulliam, Mark, 34* |
Nov. 2 |
1942 |
Chatsworth |
GA |
MA |
Sentenced to life imprisonment |
|||
82. |
Bauer, William Dilworth, 48* |
Jan. 28 |
1956 |
Parsippany-Troy Hills |
NJ |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
83. |
King, Rufus A., 34* |
Oct. 2 |
1956 |
Clinton |
NC |
FM |
Committed [...] |
|||
84. |
Soper, Roland, 28* |
March 4/5 |
1959 |
Lancaster |
OH |
MP |
Committed [...] |
|||
85. |
Pitelka, Charles E., 34* |
May 13 |
1961 |
Lockport |
IL |
M |
Committed [...] |
|||
86. |
Bauer, Roland, 31* |
May 6 |
1962 |
Zion |
IL |
M |
Committed [...] |
|||
87. |
Gregor, Elizabeth, 44* |
June 17 |
1963 |
Prospect |
PA |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
88. |
Burgan, James D., 28 |
Dec. 3 |
1964 |
Detroit |
MI |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
89. |
Sartin, Mary, 26* |
Aug. 13 |
1965 |
Bay View |
OH |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
90. |
Suarez, Jose Antonio, 22* |
April |
1966 |
New York City |
NY |
M |
Not prosecuted and set free |
|||
91. |
Bray, Charles, * |
Dec. 19 |
1968 |
Napa |
CA |
FA |
Committed [...] |
|||
92. |
O'Leary, George T.* |
June 8/9 |
1973 |
Boston |
MA |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
93. |
DeFeo, Ronald Joseph, * |
Nov. 13 |
1974 |
Amityville |
NY |
F |
Sentenced to six consecutive life terms |
|||
94. |
Nelson, Simon Peter, * |
Jan. 6 |
1978 |
Rockford |
IL |
M |
Sentenced to six consecutive prison terms of 100 to 200 years |
|||
95. |
Gilbert, Gene, * |
Jan. 3 |
1981 |
Delmar |
IA |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
96. |
Ellis, Ronald Quitman, |
May 2 |
1981 |
Clinton |
MD |
F |
Sentenced to five consecutive life terms plus 10 years |
|||
97. |
Day, James Alan, * |
Oct. 18 |
1984 |
Evansville |
IN |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
98. |
Dreesman, Robert, 40* |
Dec. 30 |
1987 |
Algona |
IA |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
99. |
Forsyth, Rick Wayne, |
June 14 |
1993 |
Norwalk |
IA |
F |
Sentenced to six consecutive life terms |
|||
100. |
Her, Khoua, * |
Sep. 3 |
1998 |
Saint Paul |
MN |
M |
Sentenced to 50 years in prison |
|||
101. |
Pangle, Richard, 37* |
Sep. 4 |
2000 |
Ava |
OH |
FA |
Perished in the fire |
|||
102. |
Soltys, Nikolay Alekseyevich, * |
Aug. 20 |
2001 |
Sacramento |
CA |
M |
Committed [...] while awaiting trial |
|||
103. |
Wise, Jesse Dee, * |
April 8/9 |
2006 |
Leola |
PA |
M |
Sentenced to life imprisonment |
|||
104. |
Isadore, Hersel M., 35* |
Dec. 16 |
2006 |
Kansas City |
KS |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
105. |
Lupoe, Ervin Antonio, * |
Jan. 27 |
2009 |
Los Angeles |
CA |
F |
Committed [...] |
|||
106. |
Shaffer, Jacob Levi, 30 |
July 18 |
2009 |
Fayetteville |
TN |
M |
Arrested |
|||
107. |
Damas, Mesac, 33* |
Sep. 18 |
2009 |
Naples |
FL |
M |
Arrested |
|||
108. |
Mintooth, Chalburn, 50* |
Oct. 13 |
1906 |
Newport |
TN |
M |
Committed [...] |
Annotations
- – Marks cases where all the victims were relatives of the perpetrator
W – A basic description of the weapons used in the murders
- F – Firearms and other ranged weapons, especially rifles and handguns, but also bows and crossbows, grenade launchers, flamethrowers, or slingshots
- M – Melee weapons, like knives, swords, spears, machetes, axes, clubs, rods, rocks, or bare hands
-
O – Any other weapons, such as bombs, hand grenades, Molotov cocktails, poison and poisonous gas, as well as vehicle and arson attacks
- A – indicates that an arson attack was the only other weapon used
- V – indicates that a vehicle was the only other weapon used
- E – indicates that explosives of any sort were the only other weapon used
- P – indicates that an anaesthetising or deadly substance of any kind was the only other weapon used (includes poisonous gas)